Joy’s rigorous approach led to job offer from top company

A student placement with top manufacturing company Procter & Gamble led to a job recommendation for Joy Askew, who is graduating today (10 July 2013) with a degree in Biochemistry.

Joy was awarded an industrial placement during the third year of her degree at the company’s laboratories in Egham, Surrey, where she was tasked with evaluating the effectiveness of a new product.

Her clear-thinking and rigorous approach led to the placement being extended by another three months, and a procedure she developed in relation to the product has now been adopted by the company. As a consequence, she has been offered a “hire recommendation” should she want to work with Procter & Gamble in the future.

Joy, 21, who hails from Broadstairs in Kent, said: “It was great to be in a laboratory and feeling that the work I was doing was going to be of significance. I learned a lot about the importance of innovation and determination. It has made me even more certain that I want to work in research, perhaps looking at the production of therapeutic drugs.”

“It’s very flattering to be offered a hire recommendation by Procter & Gamble, but I am considering continuing with my studies for now – hopefully in being awarded a scholarship to take a doctorate.”

Her Industrial Placement tutor, Professor Anthony Moore, said: “Joy went through a highly competitive selection procedure to get her student placement with Procter & Gamble. She then demonstrated what can be achieved through tenacity, collaboration and a willingness to go back to basics and look at problems anew. She has the makings of a great scientist.”